- Finalise the development of an Occupational Violence and Aggression Strategy for Youth Justice Precincts.
- Undertake stakeholder engagement to ensure the strategy aligns with organisational goals and addresses safety risks of staff and young people in Victorian Youth Justice Precincts.
- Promote safe systems of work to support a safe and healthy environment for all staff and young people who work and live in Victoria's youth justice custodial precincts
The Department of Justice and Community Safety (Youth Justice) is responsible for the statutory supervision of young people in the criminal justice system in Victoria focusing on prevention, diversion, and early intervention as the most effective and fiscally responsible ways of reducing youth crime. Youth Justice is committed to the demonstration of the Victorian Public Sector values. The values are: responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership and human rights.
Youth justice custodial precincts accommodate young people aged 12-18 years who have been remanded or sentenced by the Criminal Division of the Children's Court, and some 18-21 year olds sentenced by Adult Courts to youth justice.
The Senior Manager, Occupational Violence and Aggression (OVA) Strategy is responsible for finalising and implementing an occupational violence and aggression strategy that will act as a roadmap to promote safe systems of work to support a safe and healthy environment for all staff and young people who work and live in Victoria's youth justice custodial precincts. The strategy is a key action in the Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2020-2030, and will aim to build on other reforms across Youth Justice including updated Operational Safety Training, expansion of the Operational Safety Capability and Review (OSCaR) team, strengthened youth offending programs and behaviour interventions, new risk assessment tools and reconfigured data bases that will provide more detailed and timely about incidents of violence.
The opportunity
- Fixed term, full time (12 month) position based at the Parkville Youth Justice Precinct but working flexibly across other Youth Justice Custodial Precincts (Cherry Creek & Malmsbury), where needed to respond to operational requirements.
- VPS6 role: $142,790 - $191,084 per year plus super.
- Lead the completion of an Occupational Violence and Aggression (OVA) Strategy for youth justice custodial precincts, including consolidating work already completed.
- Provide advice and support to the Youth Justice Executive Director and Precinct Directors on implementation of the strategy.
- Consult extensively with key external stakeholders including oversight bodies such as Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP), Ombudsman Victoria (OV) and Community Public Sector (CPSU) and WorkSafe Victoria on the implementation of the strategy.
- Ensure the strategy aligns with other complimentary reform activity across Youth Justice, including the review of the Operational Safety Training package, the DASA pilot and behaviour support review.
- Work with leadership teams in each of the three youth justice precincts to establish terms of reference and membership for OVA Committees that will meet monthly at each location.
- Work with leadership teams in each of the three youth justice precincts to develop templates for OVA Action Plans that will be prepared each month to mitigate OVA risks.
- Consult with the Operational Safety Capability and Review (OSCaR) teams to develop timely and detailed OVA data reports for each location that will be used to inform OVA Action Plans.
To be successful in this role you will have:
- Knowledge and understanding of custodial operations and the risks to safety for staff and young people in custody.
- Experience assessing practice against standards and legislation, including understanding of the Children, Youth and Families Act (2005) and complex Youth Justice and welfare issues.
- A current driver's licence is required due to the need to work across different locations.
You will be required to obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) to be maintained by the employee for the period of employment.
To learn more about the type of skills you will need to thrive in this role, please read the position description.
If you have any queries, please contact James McCann on 0422 005 782 or [email protected]
What's in it for you?
You will be working for the Department of Justice and Community Safety, which is one arm of the Victorian State Government, a recognised top employer of choice nationally. All our staff work to the vision of a safe, just, innovative and thriving Victoria.
There are many advantages in working for the department, including:
- Job stability - position as a member of the Victorian Public Service (VPS).
- A fair salary- enjoy great work conditions and salary sacrificing options.
- Transparent performance framework- approach your work with confidence in how you're tracking, working to professional development plans agreed on by you and your manager.
- Generous leave entitlements- provisions for many forms of leave; including personal, parental, carers, study, cultural, compassionate, and sick leave.
- Employee Assistance Program support - you are encouraged to use this short-term, confidential counselling service if you're experiencing emotional stress, relationship problems, conflict with others or personal issues. It is also available for financial counselling and retirement planning.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants are welcome to utilise support from the Aboriginal Recruitment Team throughout the recruitment process. Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to contact [email protected] if they would like cultural support and guidance through the application process.
For Aboriginal Designated and Prioritised positions, a Certificate of Aboriginality (CoA) will be required prior to an offer of employment being made
We want to make sure all Victorians feel represented by the department's work. One of the ways we do this is by recruiting a diverse workforce - we welcome people of any gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability and cultural background. We are also committed to the Victorian Government's promise to increase the number of veterans working in the public sector.
We're proud of our individual differences. We're proud of the many languages we speak and the stories we can share with each other. We hope you will share your story too.
If this sounds like a compelling job that you believe your skills would be a great match for, please APPLY NOW. Applications close 11.59pm, Wednesday 22 July 2026.
How to apply
Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include national police checks and misconduct screening.
If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:
The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.
